Step 5 – Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Christina’s version – We acknowledged the exact nature of our actions, emotions, and perceptions — both to ourselves and aloud to another person.
Personalize it – By sharing aloud with another person, I begin to recognize the ways I’ve harmed myself and the patterns I continue to repeat
Step 5 Words to Live By – We’re as sick as our secrets. Shame can’t survive being spoken.
Step 5 Concepts
- Integrity – This step is about honesty and accountability. By sharing our inventory with another person, we practice integrity and take responsibility for our actions.
- Freedom from Shame – Many people carry deep guilt and shame about their past behaviors. Step 5 allows us to release that burden by speaking it aloud in a safe and supportive environment.
- Courage – Staying quiet might seem easier—less risky, less exposed. But I’ve learned that silence comes with its own cost. For me, it was just as hard living behind a polished persona, all while feeling like a fraud underneath.
- Connection – Addiction thrives in isolation. By admitting our wrongs to another person, we break the cycle of secrecy and begin to build trust and connection.
- Perspective & Clarity – Sharing our inventory with someone else helps us see patterns in our behaviors that we might not recognize on our own. It allows us to gain insight and begin the process of change.
- Spiritual Growth – It deepens our spiritual journey by reinforcing humility and openness.
Step 5 taught me that honesty isn’t just about telling the truth—it’s about being willing to see it. I entered this process carrying old judgments, but through sharing with another person, I gained clarity and compassion for myself and others. That connection helped me begin to let go. This step is part of building a foundation for freedom, and like any strong structure, it takes time and care. Letting go of what no longer serves us is a process.
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